Opinion:
TAMPA — If there was one play from the blowout that epitomized the state of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they intensify the quest to repeat as Super Bowl champs, it came courtesy of Shaquil Barrett in the middle of the third quarter on Sunday.
On a fourth down, Barrett feigned a blitz, then dropped into coverage. Jalen Hurts, the young Eagles quarterback locked on his target, tried to loft a pass over the linebacker’s head. No go. Barrett took to the sky to deflect the pass – to himself – for an open-field interception. Then he zipped and dashed 17 yards with the return.
“That was the play of the year!” Bucs receiver Mike Evans declared after Tampa Bay put away Philadelphia by a 31-15 count to advance to the NFC divisional playoffs.